From Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities

May/June 2002

A Stormwater project in the making

The Stormwater Utility is currently constructing a box culvert, located in the Village of Pine Run, on Oak Lane. A box culvert is a large; "concrete hollow box" that will pass high water flows. During heavy rains, the old pipe system under Oak Lane would cause the water to back up and flow over the road and onto residential property, resulting in expensive property damage and road repairs. The new box culvert will significantly reduce the chance of flooding during large storm events. The Village of Pine Run is located in the northeast section of the county, east of I-95, off U.S. 1.

Up and running in Southeast Volusia

Volusia County Utilities has completed construction of the Southeast Regional Water Reclamation Facility providing sanitary sewer service to southeast Volusia County residents. The $4 million plant and $1 million transmission and collection system has been in operation for 16 months and daily flows are currently averaging 270,000 gallons per day. The plant treats the wastewater to public access quality and the effluent is then used to irrigate 104 acres of citrus groves that surround the plant site. Plant capacity is 600,000 gallons per day and is expandable to meet future growth in southeast Volusia County. In addition to serving the unincorporated areas of southeast Volusia County, the County has an interlocal agreement with the City of Edgewater and currently treats 100,000 gallons per day from the City’s southern service area.

Save water and money in your home

By purchasing low flow shower heads and ultra low flow toilets. If you are purchasing new appliances, look for washers and dishwashers that are water efficient.

Waterwise plant of the month

Coontie
This Florida native inhabits a variety of mostly coastal habitats with well drained sands or sandy loam soils. It will tolerate some salt drift from the sea. No native plant is better suited for foundation plantings in the deep south. Coontie is perfect for xeriscapes and is becoming a popular low maintenance ground cover. This is a subtle accent plant that boasts a deep green color and unique form. Although a slow grower, Coontie is very tough and easy to maintain.

Let’s go on a picnic!

We drink water to live, but did you know we use more water than we could ever drink when we eat? Did you ever think about how much water is used to grow our fruits and vegetables that make up salads, and sandwiches? It’s springtime and the weather is great for flying kites and having picnics. So lets plan a picnic and lets pretend there are four people going on this picnic. We are going to bring the following items to eat: (l.) hamburgers for the grill, (2.) one watermelon, (3.) milk to drink, (4.) lettuce and (5.) tomatoes for the hamburgers, and (6.) french-fries that we picked up at the local fast food restaurant. Let’s see if you can guess how many gallons of water it takes to help grow or produce these food items. Don’t forget there’s going to be four people at the picnic. Answer: (1) 1303 (2.) 100 (3) 65 (4) 6 (5) 3 and (6) 6 gallons

Water conservation

How much water is enough?

For most Florida soils, an average of ¾ of an inch of water each week is sufficient to replenish the grass. You can measure this with a tuna fish can or other flat-bottomed, wide-mouth cans. Place five to seven of these throughout the irrigation zone to be operated. Water until there is ¾ of an inch of water in each. That’s how long that zone needs to be run once a week in the summer and once every two to three weeks during the winter or non-growth months.

Coming to your mailbox 

The annual Consumer Confidence Report should be arriving in your mailbox during the month of May. This report is required by law and advises the consumer exactly what is in their water. 

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Volusia County, Florida.